Wilderness areas and open landscape habitats of the EU FFH-directive: Conflicts and potentials
As a politically defined target, 2 % of Germany’s land area are to be left for unregulated wilderness development . This states a fascinating perspective for the near-natural development of large-area landscapes.
On the other hand, there is a considerable potential of conflict with regard to the conservation of semi-natural open landscape habitats. Without management, these habitats could be affected by succession and re-forestation.
Within on-going investigations in the nature conservation area ‚Königsbrücker Heide‘ (Bautzen district, Saxony federal state) and other research sites, the conservation of sand grassland (FFH-habitat code 2230) will be explored under different conditions. Special emphasis is laid on ground-inhabiting lichens and bryophytes. Such species may react very sensitive to different treatments like natural succession under high levels of wild ungulates, one time shrub removal or controlled grazing.
Further research projects are planned.
Contact: Dr. Sebastian Dittrich
© S. Dittrich
© S. Dittrich
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